20 Top Thanksgiving Salad Recipes (2024)

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These top Thanksgiving salad recipes are full of big flavor and seasonal produce! They’ll wow everyone around the table.

20 Top Thanksgiving Salad Recipes (1)

When it comes to Thanksgiving sides, the star doesn’t have to be the gravy, stuffing or mashed potatoes. These days, another category is king: the Thanksgiving salad! That’s right, the salad can be one of the more delicious things on your plate on this massive food holiday. Because here’s the thing: it’s bright, colorful, vibrant and textured, with sweet tart, savory and tangy ingredients that are the ideal contrast to those mushy brown entrees and sides.

Here are our top Thanksgiving salad recipes that highlight the produce of the season. From apples to pears, sweet potatoes to squash, and pomegranate to beets: there’s something every eater will be excited about.

And now…our top Thanksgiving salad recipes!

20 Top Thanksgiving Salad Recipes (2)

Crisp Apple Salad

One of the best Thanksgiving salads: this Crisp Apple Salad! Crisp tart apple slices pair with pops of pomegranate seeds, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy,cinnamon-spiced pecans. Toss them all over fresh greens with a zingy maple and apple cider vinegar dressing, and it’s trulysalad perfection.

20 Top Thanksgiving Salad Recipes (3)

Sweet Potato Salad

This sweet potato salad is ideal for Thanksgiving! Make roasted sweet potatoes, then toss with baby arugula, cranberries, pumpkin seeds and a little crumbled goat cheese or feta. Honey Mustard or Balsamic Dressing give it a tangy pop. The savory, sweet, tangy, creamy and crunchy contrasts will wow everyone!

20 Top Thanksgiving Salad Recipes (4)

Pear Salad with Pecans

Here’s a dreamy Thanksgiving salad if there ever was one: this brilliantPear Salad! It’s a study in contrasts: fresh, juicy pear against funky gorgonzola cheese; bright pomegranate against savory shallot. Throw in some toasted pecans and cover it in tangypoppy seed dressing, and well: it’s absolutelyirresistible.

20 Top Thanksgiving Salad Recipes (5)

Brussels Sprout Salad

One of the best Thanksgiving sides of them all: a Brussels Sprout salad! The raw greens of this popular veggie aren’t bitter at all: they’re sweet and feathery, with irresistibly tasty flavor. Combine them with a sweet and tangy Djion mustard dressing, apples, and dried cherries, and they’re pretty darn perfect.

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Butternut Squash Salad

Here’s a standout Thanksgiving salad starring everyone’s favorite ingredient:Butternut Squash Salad! This one is a symphony in a bowl: hearty sweet squash pairs with crisp apple, chewy cranberries and a citrusyorange vinaigrette. All the best flavors of fall and winter ingredients sing together in perfect harmony!

Here's a hearty fall and winter side dish that's just begging to jump onto your table: wild rice salad! This mix of rice with crunchy veggies, pecans, cranberries, and feta cheese crumbles is ideal for any occasion, from the holidays to a simple cozy dinner. A maple Dijon vinaigrette dressing infuses a tangy flavor throughout, punctuated by bursts of fresh parsley.

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Pomegranate Salad

One of our top favorite Thanksgiving salads? Pomegranate salad! Crunchy pomegranate seeds make a beautiful confetti over the top of leafy greens. Add tart green apple slices, toasted pecans, and goat cheese or feta crumbles, and it’s a true symphony of flavor! Top it with creamyapple cider vinegar dressingorpomegranate vinaigrette.

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Here's an easy Thanksgiving salad that comes together quickly, but my does it deliver on flavor! The crunch of the apples, creamy goat cheese, and fluffy arugula are the ideal pair for the tangy sweet dressing. Your guests won't be able to stop eating this one!

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Want a fancy Thanksgiving salad idea? Try thisEndive Salad: equal parts refreshing, tangy, bitter, crunchy, and tangy! Bitter endive pairs perfectly with juicy orange and a sweet tartred wine vinaigrette. Top it off with savory Parmesan shavings and crunchy almonds, and the contrasts are divine.

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Delicata Squash Salad

Looking for a stunningThanksgiving salad? Enter: delicata squash salad! This is no ordinary green side salad. It stars our favorite squash: thedelicata, which is brilliantly sweet and has edible skin (no peeling necessary!). Roast up that squash in just 20 minutes, and in the meantime prep those refreshing pomegranate seeds, crunchy pistachios, and tangy honey mustard dressing.

20 Top Thanksgiving Salad Recipes (12)

Fennel Salad with Parmesan

This delightfulfennel saladis one anyone can enjoy despite any preconceptions, pairing the shaved raw vegetable with sweet apple, zingy lemon and savory Parmesan cheese. Delicate fennel fronds make a feathery garnish, and each bite is irresistibly crunchy with a pop of acidity.

20 Top Thanksgiving Salad Recipes (13)

Watercress Salad with Apple

Here's a tasty Thanksgiving salad:Watercress Salad with Apple! Pair this bitter leafy green with lemon, apple and savory Parmesan shavings and you won’t be able to resist another bite! The sweet apple, zingy citrus and flaky salt balance out the watercress beautifully, making for a fresh and vibrant side dish.

Try this kale slawwith apples! The colorful mix of fresh veggies is simple to put together and tastes refreshingly sweet tart. It stars hearty kale, crisp apples, sweet carrot, and a zingy maple apple cider vinegar dressing. Toss the entire mixture with sliced toasted almonds to make it sing!

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Apple Slaw

Here’s a fun, fresh Thanksgiving salad to add to your repertoire: thisapple slaw! Cabbage, apples and carrots partner up to form the basis of a tangy slaw. They’re doused in a creamy poppyseed dressing that you’ll want to pour on just about everything. It’s a slaw spin that’s unique in flavor but simple enough that you’ll want to keep making it all season long.

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Beet Salad with Balsamic Dressing

This delicious beet salad has all the right elements: baby greens, creamy goat cheese and a tangy balsamic beet dressing. Basically, it’s salad perfection! It works withroasted beets or if the oven's not free, try Instant Pot Beets.

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Fennel Orange Salad

Here's an elegant salad we never tire of: fennel orange salad! It features beautiful juicy oranges, with their vibrant color and citrusy flavor. Add to that a famous pairing: sliced raw fennel, which adds a subtle licorice essence. Throw it over greens with a few garnishes, top with a zingy homemadecitrus vinaigrette, and wow! It's stunning.

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Hearty Farro Salad

Here’s a unique Thanksgiving salad: thisHearty Farro Salad! Farro is an ancient grain with a chewy texture and nutty flavor that’s burst on the scene in the past few years. This one is our ultimate, pairing the whole grain with earthy mushrooms, feathery arugula, savory pops of cheese, and a zingy vinaigrette (omit the tomatoes for the Thanksgiving version).

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Tuscan Kale Salad

This tasty salad features Tuscan kale, lemon and Parmesan and might be one of our top ways to eat this leaft green! After you taste this kale salad, you’ll agree that those green leaves smothered in a lemony, garlicky Parmesan dressing can only be one thing: drop dead delicious.

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Apple Manchego Salad

This apple manchego salad is made simply of apples and Manchego cheese cut into matchsticks, with a bit of olive oil and some sliced chives. Nothing pretentious — just pure ingredients combined in a simple way to make each shine. The way the apples and cheese are cut makes it hard todistinguishbetween the two – making it all the more fun to guess what will be part of each bite!

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Arugula Beet Salad

Here’s a Thanksgiving salad idea that’s flavorful and versatile: arugula beet salad! It features jewel-toned roasted beets with baby arugula, all covered in a zingy citrus vinaigrette. Add thin-sliced shallots and toasted walnuts, and it tastes sophisticated with minimal effort.

More Thanksgiving resources

Here are all our Thanksgiving resources to help you plan for the holiday. Whether it’s mains, sides, appetizers, or desserts: we’ve got you covered! Here are a few lists of recipes:

  • Find all the greatest hits at50 Best Thanksgiving Recipes
  • Try 15 Thanksgiving Desserts to Wow Everyone
  • Opt for 15 Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers
  • Got an Instant Pot? Try10 Instant Pot Thanksgiving Recipes
  • Choose from30 Easy Thanksgiving Sides
  • Cooking for special diets? Try25 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipesor10 Top Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes

Print

20 Top Thanksgiving Salad Recipes (22)

Thanksgiving Apple Salad (& More Recipes!)

★★★★★5 from 3 reviews
  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
Print Recipe

Description

This easy apple salad recipe is a delight, starring crisp fruit, greens, cheese crumbles, and a zingy maple vinaigrette.

Ingredients

Scale

For the salad

  • 1 crisp tart apple (like Pink Lady)
  • 8 cups mixed greens or tender lettuces (like butter or Bibb lettuce, frisee, etc)
  • ¼ cup candied pecans or toasted pecans
  • ¼ cup goat cheese or feta cheese crumbles
  • ¼ cup pomegranate seeds or dried cranberries
  • Optional: chopped fresh thyme, for garnish

For the maple vinaigrette dressing (use 6 tablespoons)

  • 2 tablespoonsmaple syrup
  • 2 tablespoonsapple cider or white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoonDijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoonkosher salt
  • 6 tablespoonsolive oil
  • Fresh ground black pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. If using, prepare the candied pecans in advance (or use purchased).
  2. Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk the maple syrup, vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Whisk in the olive oil 1 tablespoon at a time until a creamy dressing forms. (If desired, make in advance and refrigerate up to 2 weeks; bring to room temperature prior to serving).
  3. Thinly slice the apple.
  4. Place the greens on a large platter or individual plates. Top with apple slices, candied pecans, goat cheese or feta crumbles, and pomegranate seeds or dried cranberries. Top with about 6 tablespoons of the dressing (or more as desired) and serve immediately. (To make ahead, keep all components separate with fresh ingredients and dressing refrigerated. Toss the apples with lemon juice to prevent browning. Bring dressing to room temperature and add all ingredients together directly before serving.)
  • Category: Side dish
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: Salad
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Thanksgiving salad, Thanksgiving salad recipes

vegan vegetarian gluten free

Published on / Last updated on

Categorized In:

  • Recipe Collections
  • Recipes

Tagged with:

  • Dairy-Free
  • Easy
  • Gluten-Free Recipes
  • Healthy
  • Plant-Based
  • Salad
  • Thanksgiving Recipes
  • Vegan Recipes
  • Vegetarian Recipes

About the authors

20 Top Thanksgiving Salad Recipes (23)

Sonja & Alex

Hi, we’re Alex and Sonja Overhiser, married cookbook authors, food bloggers, and recipe developers. We founded A Couple Cooks to share fresh, seasonal recipes for memorable kitchen moments! Our recipes are made by two real people and work every time.

About Us

20 Top Thanksgiving Salad Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are the 5 salads? ›

Salad is any of a wide variety of dishes including green salads; vegetable salads; long beans; salads of pasta, legumes, or grains; mixed salads incorporating meat, poultry, or seafood; and fruit salads. They often include vegetables and fruits.

Is a salad necessary on Thanksgiving dinner? ›

On a holiday table chock-full of dishes that are rich and richer, something raw and tangy is a welcome contrast. Salad tastes good on its own, but it also makes everything around it taste better. Its crunch peps up silky-smooth mashed potatoes. Its zing brightens gravy-smothered turkey.

What is in most salads? ›

Common raw vegetables (in the culinary sense) used in a salad include cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, onions, carrots, celery, radishes, mushrooms, avocado, olives, artichoke hearts, heart of palm, watercress, parsley, garden beets, and green beans. Nuts, berries, seeds, lentils, and flowers are less common components.

What's in a millionaire salad? ›

ingredients
  1. 1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling.
  2. 1 (8 ounce) carton Cool Whip.
  3. 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk.
  4. 1 (16 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained.
  5. 1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges.
  6. 1 cup seedless grapes (optional)
  7. 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
  8. 1 cup mini marshmallows.

What not to do as a Thanksgiving guest? ›

The Rudest Things You Can Do During Thanksgiving Dinner
  • Not RSVP-ing.
  • Ignoring The Schedule.
  • Bringing Dishes That Require Cooking.
  • Starting Tense Conversations.
  • Prying Into People's Personal Business.
  • Asserting Yourself In The Kitchen Without Being Asked.
  • Not Letting The Host Know About An Allergy Or Dietary Restriction.
Nov 2, 2023

What not to say at Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Here are five topics that should best be kept to yourself when celebrating the holiday meal.
  • Religion. Religion is a big topic for people, especially if you do not believe in it. ...
  • Politics. ...
  • Finances and Jobs. ...
  • Relationships. ...
  • Weight.
Nov 21, 2023

What not to do at Thanksgiving dinner? ›

13 things you should never do on Thanksgiving
  1. Say the food will be ready at 5 p.m. when it won't be ready until 7 p.m. Everyone is hungry. ...
  2. Bring someone who wasn't invited. ...
  3. Make Jell-O salad. ...
  4. Bring up politics. ...
  5. Undercook or overcook the turkey. ...
  6. Come unannounced. ...
  7. Talk about how you're ruining your diet. ...
  8. Eat way too much.
Nov 5, 2018

What are the top 5 Thanksgiving side dishes? ›

Top 10 Must-Have Thanksgiving Side Dishes
  1. Holiday Stuffing. This easy recipe for Holiday Stuffing is our number one must-have Thanksgiving side dish!
  2. Best Mashed Potatoes Ever. ...
  3. New Green Bean Casserole. ...
  4. Sweet Potato Casserole. ...
  5. Baked Cranberry Sauce. ...
  6. Cauliflower Blossom. ...
  7. Butternut Squash Mash. ...
  8. Creamy Corn for a Crowd. ...

What is a traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu? ›

Traditional Thanksgiving dinner includes Roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing (or “dressing”), and some kind of pie for dessert, typically pumpkin, apple, or pecan. Common sides are green bean casserole, scalloped corn, and roasted sweet potatoes.

What is the most famous salad in the world? ›

Caesar Salad

This may also have led to its immense popularity and its spot on many restaurant menus, including ours. Caesar salad is famous for its ingredients of romaine lettuce, olive oil, raw egg, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and Worcestershire sauce. Together, they make one of the most popular salads in the world.

What is America's favorite salad? ›

Caesar Salad

This classic salad is made with romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and a creamy dressing made with anchovies, garlic, and lemon juice. It is a popular choice in many American restaurants and is often served as a side dish or a main course.

What is the most eaten salad dressing? ›

Ranch Dressing

The ranch is hands down America's most beloved salad dressings. It is made from a number of ingredients such as buttermilk, mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, onion, chives, salt, and pepper. A creamier and richer version often features sour cream or yogurt for enhanced taste.

What are the 7 basic types of salad? ›

7 Types of Salad to Add Color and Crunch to Your Plateau
  • Caesar Salad.
  • Greek Salad (Horiatiki Salata)
  • Caprese Salad.
  • Cobb Salad.
  • Waldorf Salad.
  • Nicoise Salad.
  • Macaroni Salad.
  • Coleslaw.
Sep 5, 2023

What are the 5 salads according to the place of the menu? ›

  • Appetizer Salads. It stimulate appetite which has fresh, crisp ingredients; tangy flavorful dressing; and attractive, appetizing appearance. ...
  • Accompaniment Salads. It must balance and harmonize with the rest of the meal, like any other side dish. ...
  • Side dish salads. ...
  • Main course salads. ...
  • Separate course salads. ...
  • Dessert salads.

What are the 6 major salad categories? ›

6 Classification of Salads
  • Appetizer Salads.
  • Accompaniment Salads.
  • Main course Salads.
  • Side Dish Salads.
  • Separate Course Salads.
  • Dessert Salads.

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